“Lucky” Horseshoe Tournament: 'It's all on you'

Monday

Jun 24, 2013 at 10:24 AMJun 24, 2013 at 10:28 AM

Bill Choy

For five years, folks have gotten their horseshoes out each June for the "Lucky" Horseshoe Tournament at Upper Greenhorn Park.On Saturday, a number of people took part in the event, laughing and joking around as Darrell Rose watched the festivities."I love having everyone here having fun," he said.Rose said that he greatly appreciated community members, including many close friends and family members, being able to come out for a day of horseshoes, a potluck and music for an event in honor of both his late son and wife.Lucky was the nickname of his son Joshua, Darrell Rose said, and the tournament is named after him.When Joshua died in a car accident in April 2009 at the age of 28, his mom, Debbie, wanted a way to honor him and came up with the horseshoe tournament, with the first event taking place that June. About a month before the second annual tournament the following year, Debbie Rose passed away.Darrell decided he wanted the tournament to go on and dedicated it in both their memories.Darrell said that while "it's a hard feeling to explain," what the event means to him, he said, is that "it's something spiritual." On a picnic table were photos of both Debbie and Joshua, which were appropriately faced toward where the horseshoe festivities were taking place.Bubba Smith is a cousin of Debbie Rose and has taken part in the horseshoe tournament all five years. Smith said that it's nice to have an event like this to remember two people they lost and to honor them, and to also go out and have a fun day at the park.And, Smith added, he always takes advantage of any chance he gets to play horseshoes."I love horseshoes," he said. "I enjoy the competition. It's all on you. I like that it's a one-person thing."